Manitoba top honors shared by filly, colt

Pete's Surprise and Shanghied were honored as Manitoba's best Thoroughbred racehorses of 2004 at the province's Canadian Thorough-bred Horse Society/Horse-men's Benevolent and Protective Association awards dinner at Assiniboia Downs on Saturday night.

Pete's Surprise, a 4-year-old who won one stakes race and finished second in four others at Assiniboia Downs, was named horse of the year and top older filly or mare by the horse society, which honors Manitoba-breds.

Shanghied, a Kentucky-bred colt who won two stakes and finished third in the Manitoba Derby, was named horse of the year and top 3-year-old male by the horsemen's association, which recognizes local accomplishments regardless of birthplace.

Gold Strike, a Manitoba-bred 2-year-old filly who was 2 for 3 at Assiniboia, including a victory over males in the Buffalo, was the choice of both groups in her division.

Other horse society winners were Get Down, a 2-year-old male who was 2 for 2 at Woodbine; Poppo's Song, 3-year-old filly; Coal Smudge, 3-year-old male; Gus Again, older horse; Shiver in My Bones, broodmare; and His Excellence, stallion.

Other horsemen's association equine winners were Your Excellence, 2-year-old male; Victory Thrill, 3-year-old filly; Remiewaterbluz, older female; Deputy Country, older male; Iwoodificould, sprinter; and Golden Bid, claimer.

The horsemen also honored Ardell Sayler as trainer of the year, Bert Blake as top percentage trainer, and Travis Hightower as jockey of the year.